chapter 3: A decision made without them

Flashback – Before the Date

The morning sun peeked through the curtains of the Shrivastava house, casting golden streaks across the small but tidy living room. The air smelled of fried parathas, mingling with the faint scent of old textbooks stacked on a corner table. The usual morning chaos unfolded.

Kyara Shrivastava adjusted the folds of her kurta, brushing off invisible creases. The mirror reflected a young woman with sharp eyes, soft features, and a quiet determination etched into her expression. This wasn't just a graduation ceremony—it was her stepping stone toward independence.

Behind her, Raj, her younger brother, lay sprawled on the bed, swinging his legs as he scrolled through his phone. His uniform shirt was half-buttoned, his hair sticking up in odd directions.

"You're actually graduating," he muttered, barely looking up. "Guess that means you're officially old now."

Kyara shot him a look through the mirror. "And you're still an annoying brat."

Raj grinned, satisfied with her irritation.

In the kitchen, their mother's voice rang out, "Raj! If you're done being a pain, at least come eat!"

Kyara chuckled, running her fingers through her hair one last time before grabbing her bag.

Her father, Dr. Ravi Shrivastava, buttoned up his formal shirt, his hands steady and practiced. But there was something about the way he fastened the last button—slower, more deliberate, as if his mind was elsewhere.

"Papa, we're getting late," Kyara reminded him, adjusting her dupatta.

He snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Right, right. Let's go."

As they stepped out of the house, Kyara took a deep breath. She had no idea this would be the last time her family would be whole.

A Plan Set in Motion – The Agnihotris' Discussion

Across the city, in a sleek, modern South Delhi apartment, Niki Agnihotri leaned back in his chair, fingers lazily drumming against his coffee cup. The rich aroma of espresso filled the air, but he wasn't paying attention to it.

His father, Dr. Rishant Agnihotri, sat on the couch, flipping through the business section of the newspaper with the precision of a man who always knew what came next. His mother, Dr. Richa Agnihotri, stood in the kitchen, examining cabinets like she was inspecting hospital storage.

On the sofa, Aria Agnihotri, his younger sister, lounged with her phone, a smirk playing on her lips as she scrolled through something far more entertaining than whatever her parents were discussing.

But the whispers, the occasional glances, the quick exchanges of words—they weren't lost on Niki.

Something was up.

His fingers tightened around the coffee cup. "What are you three plotting?"

His mother didn't even look up. "Nothing that concerns you."

That answer was never a good sign.

His father set down the newspaper and folded his hands together, looking directly at him.

Niki raised an eyebrow. Here we go.

"We've decided on your marriage."

The words hung in the air like a dropped scalpel in an operating room.

Niki froze mid-sip, the coffee burning his tongue as he choked. "What?"

His father's expression remained unchanged. "With Dr. Shrivastava's daughter, Kyara."

Niki let out a sharp laugh, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Dad, I'm twenty-three, not fifty."

His mother arched an eyebrow, the way she always did when she was about to say something that made his life worse. "That's exactly what you used to say about MBBS, and look where you are now."

Niki sighed, dragging a hand down his face. He had no idea how much worse things were about to get.

An Unavoidable Reality

Kyara dropped her spoon, the metallic clink echoing through the small dining space.

Across from her, her mother rubbed her temples, looking like she had been waiting for this moment—and dreading it just the same.

"We've decided on your marriage," she said, her voice carefully measured. "With Dr. Agnihotri's son, Niki."

The words barely settled before Kyara let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Her mother sighed, pressing her fingers against her forehead. "Kyara, I know this isn't what you wanted, but things aren't that simple."

Kyara's grip tightened around the edge of the table. "What do you mean?"

A pause. The kind that stretched too long, the kind that made your stomach sink before you even heard the answer.

Her mother's lips twitched into a tired, almost defeated smile.

"We… we're struggling, Kyara."

A cold weight settled in Kyara's chest.

She swallowed. "I'll work. I'll find a job while continuing my studies."

Her mother shook her head. "Your job won't be enough, Kyara. You're the one who wanted to study further, and I won't let you give that up. But I also can't afford to keep everything running alone. Raj's education, the house… we need stability."

Kyara's voice was sharper than she intended. "So, what? You're selling me off?"

Her mother flinched. "It's not like that."

Kyara let out a hollow laugh. "Then what is it like?"

Her mother looked away. No answer.

A Forced Decision

Niki froze mid-scroll, his finger hovering over his phone screen.

His father spoke again, voice firm. "With Dr. Shrivastava's daughter, Kyara."

Niki blinked. Then laughed, shaking his head. "Wow. So everyone just decided my future without me?"

His father's gaze darkened. "This isn't just about you, Niki. You think life is just about doing whatever you want?"

Niki exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Ohhh, like how I wanted to do MBBS? Like how I wanted to live away from my own family since I turned two?"

"Shut up, Niki!" His mother's sharp voice cut through the tension.

His jaw clenched. "I don't believe for a second that this is just about her security. You always have another reason."

His father didn't deny it. He just watched.

"You have to do things in life that you don't want to do," his father said finally.

The words settled over Niki like a suffocating weight.

Without another word, he pushed back his chair and walked away.

A Flashing Moment – Connecting to Chapter 2

Kyara pulled out a few notes from her purse, handing them to the waiter before he could swipe Niki's card.